It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Nobel prize-winning scientist James Watson, who, together with Francis Crick, identified the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953.

In remembrance of Dr. James D. Watson, 1928-2025 (Credit: The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory).

This ground-breaking achievement, ranked as one of the greatest scientific discoveries of the twentieth century, launched molecular-level biological research. This discovery not only revealed the structural basis of genetic information but also laid the foundation for the entire field of molecular biology.

The discoverers of the structure of DNA. James Watson (1928-2025) at left and Francis Crick (1916-2004), with their model of part of a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecule in 1953 (Credit: A. Barrington Brown / Science Photo Library).

Professor Watson was a leading advocate of the Human Genome Project that was launched in 1990 and actively promoted the global scientific cooperation that allowed humanity to obtain its first genetic map and laid the foundations for the transformational research in genomics that followed.

The 15 February 2001 issue of Nature highlights the completion of the “draft sequences” of the human genome (Credit: Nature. Volume 409 Issue 6822, 15 February 2001).

Professor Watson’s scientific links with BGI were very strong. After learning about the Human Genome Project, BGI co-founder Yang Huanming visited Professor Watson for an in-depth exchange. Professor Watson strongly supported China's participation in the project, which ultimately led to the establishment of BGI in 1999 to take part in this grand global scientific endeavor.

On October 6, 2003, the world’s first “James D. Watson Institute of Genome Sciences” was officially inaugurated in Hangzhou, jointly established by Zhejiang University and BGI. At age of 75, he personally inscribed the institute’s name. He expressed the hope that, modeled on the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the institute bearing his name would become an international center integrating worldclass scientific research, multilevel science education, and academic exchange.

The world’s first “James D. Watson Institute of Genome Sciences” was officially inaugurated (October 6, 2003, Hangzhou).

At the time Professor Watson noted: “China has already done a lot of important work in genomics. BGI greatly contributed to the completion of the Human Genome Project. Through sequencing parts of the human genome and the entire rice genome, China has become a leading country in genomic science.”

 
Professor Watson visited BGI in 2006, held meetings with BGI co-founders Wang Jian and Yang Huanming and attended the first International Conference on Genomics (ICG-1) hosted by BGI. During the conference, Professor Watson predicted that in a little over a decade, the cost of mapping a complete human genome would drop to $1,000, and many people would have their own personal genome maps. He also hoped China would rank among the world’s leaders in genomics, inspiring other countries to further advance genomics and biological research. Today, these predictions are coming true.

Professor Watson presented a keynote speech at the first International Conference on Genomics (ICG-1) (October 23, 2006, Hangzhou).

BGI Group Co-founder and Chairman Wang Jian in conversation with Professor Watson (October 18, 2006, Beijing).

Professor Watson visits BGI (2006, Beijing).

He visited BGI again in 2017 to learn about developments in biological resources and information and we were honored that he celebrated his 89th birthday with us during that visit. Since then, BGI Group CEO Yin Ye and other BGI Group executives and scientists have visited Professor Watson at Cold Spring Harbor multiple times.

BGI Group CEO Yin Ye visits Professor Watson (2018, Cold Spring Harbor).

In 2019, more than 80 BGI employees jointly donated US$5 million to the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Archives (CSHL Archives) to establish and maintain the “BGI Nobel Laureate Archive,” which includes all current and future Nobel laureate collections at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Archives. The ceremony was attended by Professor Watson.

Professor Watson attends the inaugurating ceremony for the BGI Nobel Laureates Archives (2019, Cold Spring Harbor).

List of founding donors for BGI Nobel Laureates Archives.

Professor Watson’s scientific philosophy of promoting genomics through large-scale cooperation has been a cornerstone for BGI’s development and mission of using genetic technology to benefit humanity.

 
While we mourn his death, his genetic bond to us will endure and we will continue to advance omics research and application, honoring Professor Watson through scientific achievement.

 
James Dewey Watson (born April 6, 1928, died November 6, 2025), rest in peace knowing that your legacy will shine brightly forever.